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If pressed, Maylee didn’t know exactly how her ability worked Her mama had passed down the skill to her, and it was an old Meriweather tradition Some families had water-dowsers and people who could predict the weather Meriweathers were talkers Maylee touched the burned skin and gently rubbed the inflahness," her mother stiffly corrected next to Maylee

She sounded so ot distracted But she recovered and finished her sentence "Go ahead and give me the rest of the pain"

Alexandra blinked for aanymore How on earth did you do that?"

Maylee lifted her hands They always felt a little war "Don’t know It runs in my faood with burns"

"Warts?" said a horrified woar"

"I don’t care," Alexandra said, s into the mirror at Maylee "I wasn’t quite sure when Griffin told me, but I have to say, I’m impressed You have my thanks" The princess waved her makeup attendant forward, and the woes in hand, to fix the crown princess’s entle with it," Maylee cautioned "Put soht and cover it so you don’t irritate the skin o away in another day or so, but it shouldn’t blister"

"That’s incredible," Luke said, a relieved sain "You sure you’re okay, baby? Up to this party?"

"It doesn’t matter if I a out of her words "Give o downstairs" She indicated at a chair nearby "Sit, Maylee In case we need you again"

"Noirons," Luke said firmly "You’re lovely just as you are"

Alexandra’s smile curved her ers and pointed at her hair, and the crying wo into action

Maylee approached the chair designated for her, but she sht, Miss Alexandra, I’d rather stand I’ awful, and then Mr Griffin would be really unhappy with aze flicked to Maylee and then back again "Speaking of Cousin Griffin, I see he’s dug out the fas and the necklace again "Lordachairs"

Luke snorted a laugh

"Indeed," Alexandra said in a pleasant voice "Still, he must be pleased with your work"

"Oh, this is just a loan," Maylee said again, her hand pressing against the far-too-expensive necklace "I think he felt sorry for me because I didn’t have any jewelry"

"That doesn’t sound like Griffin," the princess said

"What doesn’t sound like Griffin?"

Maylee turned at the sound of his familiar voice, suddenly uncertain "Hello, Mr Gri--une Verdi"

He moved to her side and put a hand on her shoulder The ht, but she didn’t pull away It was kind of nice, really Like he was including her in the group instead of e been sniffing around?" Griffin asked, and she felt his fingers tense on her shoulder

"He has not," Princess Alexandra said, leaning in so her attendant could whisk mascara on her lashes "We’re about to head downstairs, whichto run out as soon as it does, like usual?"

Griffin scowled "I do not"

"You do," Alexandra said, and their bickering sounded s than princess and viscount "I told Luke you always sneak out of these functions because you hate dancingbefore atch the dancing?" Maylee couldn’t help the wistful note in her voice Now that they were here and she’dmore relaxed And she wanted to see what an actual royal dance was like

"I suppose we could stay for one," Griffin said

"Two," Alexandra corrected, and got to her feet in a swirl of delicate blue frothing lace "The first dance is for myself and Luke"

Twenty minutes later, the princess and her fiancé had been announced to the crowd, and the band started to play The official ball had begun, and Alexandra and Luke ant swirl

"She’s so beautiful," Maylee breathed "I’m so happy for her She looks wonderful"

"She does," Griffin agreed at her side He hadn’t left Maylee since they’d eed from the princess’s chambers When soed Maylee with him She’d been flattered, but remained silent as Griffin chatted with another politician about the recent Bellissime election of a prih Even if he didn’t want to be here, it was clear that he could handle himself with the crowd He looked utterly at ease, s naturally to him